For meeting the Paris climate goals, integrated assessment models have indicated that a suite of technologies and approaches (e.g. renewables, carbon capture and storage, and energy-efficiency measures) are needed. However, the feasibility of many of these technologies can be challenged from economic, social, and other perspectives.

Based on the results of the CARISMA project, the side event, held at the South Africa Pavilion on Thursday, November 9th, presented different dimensions of assessing low- and negative-emissions technologies. Presentations from CARISMA researchers focused on issues of scaling up renewable electricity technologies and quantifying costs at different levels of the economy, with a focus on the added costs to the larger electricity system when increasing variable renewable penetration (Keith Williges, University of Graz), as well as issues of social acceptance. Heleen de Coninck (Radboud University) emphasized in her presentation the need to discuss so-called ‘hidden risks’ or ‘unexpected opportunities’ in the context of social performance of climate mitigation technologies. Federico Villatico Campbell, an invited speaker from the Climate Technology Centre and Network rounded out the presentations with an overview as to how the CTCN assesses mitigation technologies, and provided two examples of how the CTCN provides technical support to developing countries: the Development of an Energy Efficiency Master Plan in Tonga and the development of a regional efficient appliance and equipment strategy in ten southern African countries.

The organizers would like to thank the CTCN for collaborating with CARISMA and presenting their approach, as well as the South African Pavilion organizers for graciously providing a venue for this event. The side event agenda and links to presentation slides can be found below.